Balochistan

The killing of an 18-year-old student in Panjgur has drawn criticism from Baloch political groups and rights activists, who accused Pakistani authorities of failing to curb alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the province.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and several rights organisations condemned the killing of the teenager, a resident of the Sardo area of Panjgur. Activists claimed he was taken into custody on March 3, 2026 from the Tarfees locality of Chitkan before later being found dead, according to a report by The Balochistan Post.

According to the report, the body was recovered on March 11 from the Washap region. The BYC alleged that the teenager had been abducted by what it described as “death squads” and termed the incident an extrajudicial killing.

The group said the case reflected what it sees as a recurring pattern in Balochistan, where young men allegedly disappear and are later discovered dead.

Rights groups also highlighted the history of the victim’s family, stating that his father, Nasir Dagarzai, had also reportedly been forcibly disappeared in 2011. Activists alleged that he was later shot and left severely injured before being taken again later that year and eventually killed.

BYC leader Sabiha Baloch said the security situation in Balochistan had worsened in recent months, claiming that enforced disappearances and the discovery of mutilated bodies had become increasingly common in the province.

She alleged that in the past two months alone, 22 people in Panjgur and eight in Kech had died in incidents linked to disappearances or targeted attacks.

Other organisations, including Baloch Voice for Justice, said the killing highlighted the vulnerability of relatives of previously disappeared individuals. Meanwhile, Dr Naseem Baloch of the Baloch National Movement described the situation as systematic repression targeting generations of Baloch families.

READ MORE: Quran and Gita help Jasmine Sultana crack Assam civil services exam

Pakistani authorities had not immediately responded to the allegations, according to the report.